Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-07-22
POWELL MEN HAPPY.

POWELL MEN HAPPY.
forces made his prospects look dubious Then
it was decided to make q final sortie upon the
combined ranks of the opposition, and
through the darkness. the dawn, and the
morning, up to an hour after the time at
which the convention should have been called
to order the emissaries of Powell were labor
ing in his behalf.
The result was a surprise TO every delegate
and spectator who was not in the secret. On
the first ballot the Delaware states
man came within nine votes of a
ma iority, and during the next ten
minutes sufficient number of
Cambellites had concluded to get in out of
the wet to insure his victory. Campbell
might have been saved on the second ballot
had the Foran men thrown him their solid
support, but fifty of them preferred to go
down with their candidate rather than put
themselves on record as deserters from the
flag that they themselves, rather than their
candidate, had hoisted The threatened op-
position to the Endorsement of the administra-
ton failed to materialize, simply because the
great bulk of the convention at the very out
set evidenced very plainly that it would not
tolerate the introduction of any firebrand
The love feast tween Senator Payne and
Nominee Powell, which occurred on the plat
form in full view of the convention, with
Col Sim Donavin, the senator's mortal en-
envy and Powells chief lieutenant, standing
in full view of both, was one of the most re-
markabe incidents of the gathering.
The ticket was completed by the selection
of D. c. Goldman, of Portage county, for
lieutenant governor: L. R. Critchfield. of
Holmes, for supreme court justice dong terrnl,
and V P. Kline, of Cleveland, for supreme
court Justice short term1; Emil kiesewetters,
of Franklin, for auditor OF state; G. W. Har-
per, of Greene, for treasurer; A. H. Leet, of
Putnam, for attorney general; Peter Muir
ply, of Butler, for member of the board of
public works.
The convention was called to order by
Chairman BOIL of the executive committee
and Hon. George f. Seney was introduced
as permanent chairman, there being no tenn
porary organization Mr.. Seney's speech
was general congratulation of the Democ-
racy that there was no discord in its ranks at
this time, and that they were all so united
that everybody knew who was to be the
leader in 1855 A general arraignment of
the Republican party also had place in
the address, and a defense Of the presidents
action on pensions. On this subject he said
that when the demagogues and the unprinci-
pied in the Republican party DETAINED Presi
dent Cleveland for vetoing bills pensiOning
Union soldiers they forgot that Grant vetoed
bill to equalize the bounties paid to Union
soldiers, and that John Sherman, in June,
1884, spoke in the senate against re-enacting
the arrears of pension law.
He declared that the Democratic party had
kept all its promises TO the people and times
were never better than now. He sailed bold
" into the civil service law He said that
while all Democrats would give the admins
tration a hearty support there were many
who would be better satisfied if all Repub-
licans remaining in office were promptly
turned out, and their places filed with hon
est and capable Democrats As to this feature
of the situation the convention ought not to
be uncertain in meaning Or sound. Ii they
believed that Democrats instead of Repub-
licans should assist Democratic admnistra-
ton In admins tering the government they
should have the courage of their convictions
and there and then SO declare If, moreover
it was the civil service reform law that kept
Republicans in and Democrats out of office,
then they should strike boldly and high, and
demand of the party representatives at Wash
iDgtOn the immediate and unconditional re-
peal OF the law.
Much had been accomplished in the way Of
making the nation great be said, but much
more remained to be accomplished Espe-
cially ought the stars and stripes to wave at
the north over what is now the Dominion of
Canada and the south over what is now the
republic of Mexico, and to bring these two
powers peacefully under the constitution and
under the rule of the Democratic party would
be an achievement fruitful in blessings for all
coming time, not only to the people of all
three countries, but TO the posteritg of each
forever
The speakers reference TO civil service re-
form and to the annexation of Mexico and
Canada were received with perfect roar Of
approving shouts and there was prolonged
applause when he concluded
The platform begins with a hearty and
unqualified Endorsement of the honest patri-
otto, and economical administration of Pres-
dent Cleveland" and then demands reduc-
ton in the tariff until the revenue is sufficient
only to meet the expenses of the government
economically administered; denounces any
attempt to abolish the tax on liquors: de
mands that the lands be held for actual set
tiers; sympathizes with Ireland; favors the
protection of labor and the conservation of
the interests of honestly employed capital
while restraining the power of corporations;
favors legislation to prevent the immigration
of people who are not willing to become citi-
zens, and opposes the importation of foreign
convict labor; denounces the present state
government; demands the fullest safeguards
to the ballot-box and the punishment of those
who corrupt it, and tue enactment of a law
making it felony for employers TO intimidate
their employer VI attempt to control their
political action. favors proper regulation Of
the liquor traffic and the submission of a con
stitutional amendment providing for license.
The platform was adopted unanimously,
and after the usual votes of thanks the con.
vention adj journed sine die